Surname Schmittges - Meaning and Origin
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Schmittges: What does the surname Schmittges mean?
The last name Schmittges is a German name originating from the Middle High German words schmid meaning “blacksmith” and ges meaning “companion”. Traditionally blacksmiths were held to a high social standing and often acted as a trusted member of village communities. Their profession was a resource for the local community as they were able to make and repair items from metal, such as swords, tools, and horseshoes.
Schmittges, then, can be taken to mean a “blacksmith companion”. This suggests that the original bearer of this name may have had a trusted role within his community. Alternatively, it could mean that the individual was from a family of blacksmiths, which itself is an indication of a certain level of wealth or status.
Regardless, the term has since endured as a family name and has evolved to become associated with the original bearer’s deeds. The diversity of this surname can be seen in its various spellings - depending on word usage and dialect, Schmittges can be found in different forms, such as Schlommittges, Schmittiges, and Schmitges.
In conclusion, the last name Schmittges carries with it a sense of social history and alludes to a respected role of blacksmith within the community. It is an enduring family name which continues to be passed down today.
Order DNA origin analysisSchmittges: Where does the name Schmittges come from?
The last name Schmittges can be found in countries around the world. However, it is most commonly associated with Central and Eastern Europe, particularly Germany. In 2019, the German Federal Office of Statistics found that Schmittges was the 355th most common last name in the country.
A smaller, though still significant, population of people bearing the Schmittges name are found in the United States. According to the 1940 United States Federal Census, there were 1,005 individuals living in the US who had the last name. In 2020, the US Census Bureau found that there were around 3,187 people living in the US with the surname Schmittges.
Schmittges can also be found in neighboring countries in Central and Eastern Europe, such as Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria. While the exact numbers are hard to ascertain, the last name can be found in all of these countries.
In addition, people bearing the Schmittges surname are also found in other parts of the world, such as Canada, Australia, Brazil, the Netherlands, and France. The surname can be found in other countries as well, but the numbers are likely much smaller.
Overall, the last name Schmittges can be found in many places around the world, but it is perhaps most closely associated with Germany and the countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
Variations of the surname Schmittges
The surname Schmittges is a Germanic and Dutch surname originating from the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Middle High German “schmid” meaning a smith, and the Dutch “ges” meaning grandson. Thus, this surname refers to someone who is the descendant of a smith.
As a Germanic surname, variations include Schmidges, Smidges, Smittges and Smittgens. Dutch variations include Smidgens, Smittje, Smitges, Smittgen, Smitgen, and Smittgens.
When the surname migrated to America, it underwent various spelling changes. Today, some of the Americanized versions in use are Schmidtges, Schmitges, Schmatges, Schnittges, Schmitts, Smidt, Schmidgess, Smidgess, Smit, Schmidt, Smitting, Smitgens, Smet, Smitte, Smittens, and Smittge.
Other spellings and variants of the surname exist throughout the world with minor variations in spelling. In Austria and Germany, there is Schmidges; in Belgium, it is Schmidtges; in Denmark, Smidges is used. The name can also be found in France, England, the United States, South Africa and Australia, where it may be spelled Smidtges, Schmittgen, Schniedges, Schmittgens, Smittgen, Smitgen, Smidgens, and Smittgens.
Regardless of the spelling variation, the roots of the surname are still the same, and any variation can be traced back to the original Germanic Middle High German and Dutch terms.
Famous people with the name Schmittges
- Michael Schmittges: German actor best known for his roles in the television series Lindenstraße and the film Die Besucher.
- Heinz Schmittges: German pianist who has received numerous honors for his performances.
- Uli Schmittges: German engineer who is the Chairman of the Schmittges Group, a manufacturer of wheeled industrial trailers.
- Anja Schmittges: German politician and former member of the CDU/CSU faction in the German Bundestag.
- Karl Wilhelm Schmittges: German sculptor, painter, and medallist best known for his work in the Art Nouveau style.
- Christian Schmittges: German bicyclist who won the silver medal in the keirin competition at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.
- Matthias Schmittges: German swimmer who won a bronze medal in the 4×100 metre medley at the 1998 FINA World Championships.
- Günter Schmittges: German footballer who played for Eintracht Braunschweig in the Second Bundesliga during the early 1990s.
- Sergej Schmittges: German acrobat, performer, and director of Circolombia, a Columbian/UK company of acrobats.
- Martin Schmittges: German film director, editor, and screenwriter with credits in television and feature films.